The biggest and most important stories of 2021 are here!
It has been an eventful year, with lots happening in the animal, wildlife and environmental world. 2021 hasn't completely wrapped up yet, we still have a few more days to go of this year, but while the year is coming to an end, it's time to look back on the biggest and most important stories of 2021!
Some stories were very sad and some stories were hopeful and optimistic. Some stories have been about animal species that have made historic comebacks, while other stories have been about animal species that have seen worrying declines in their numbers and wildlife conservation status.
We have also sadly lost many species to extinction this year.
Let us now look back on the year that was 2021...
Geronimo The Alpaca
The biggest story of 2021 is what happened to Geronimo the Alpaca.
Sweet Geronimo the Alpaca was cruelly taken from this world in a heartbreaking way. Geronimo was taken from us in August 2021, it was a heartbreaking story to watch and write about. But while sweet Geronimo may no longer be with us, he is and will always be in our hearts.
Rooks Vulnerable To Extinction
Another sad story from 2021 and, the most surprising story in 2021, was announced just last month in November when it was announced the Rooks in Europe are now vulnerable to extinction. This is surprising, as Rooks have been very common birds. Rooks becoming vulnerable to extinction shows that even common animals are at risk of becoming endangered and extinct.
10,000 Amazon Species
In July this year, it was announced that there was devastating news about the Amazon rainforest when it was revealed that 10,000 Amazon rainforest species are now vulnerable to extinction. It shows the extent of the harm being caused to the Amazon rainforest, caused by the deforestation of the rainforest. If there is no Amazon rainforest, then there is no home for the animals which live within the Amazon rainforest. Therefore, saving the rainforest is important.
1 in 5 Bird Species
In November 2021, we learned that 1 in 5 bird species in Europe are now at risk of extinction. This alarming report shows the danger that bird species are facing and highlights that we are in a biodiversity crisis, which is often not addressed. The report by BirdLife also found the 1 in 3 bird species in Europe had declined: this is worrying news about our birds and the natural world.
Good Bird News
There was also some good news from the BirdLife 'European Red List of Birds 2021', which found that two bird species in Europe have seen their population increase. The two bird species in Europe which have seen their population increase are the Azores Bullfinch and the Red Kite. This is one of the happiest stories from 2021.
Beavers Return
Another happy story of 2021 happened during the summer. In July it was announced that a baby beaver was born in Exmoor for the first time in 400 years. This was historic news and shows that there is hope that we can bring back animals and rewild to grow our natural world. Hopefully, we see more happy stories like this during 2022 and the years following!
Iberian Lynx Population
In May this year, there was good news for the Iberian Lynx, when it was announced that their population had increased. The Iberian Lynx population grew to 1,000 cats this year. This is a massive increase from where they were, as in 2002, there were only 94 Iberian Lynxes left. Their population has dramatically increased.
Giant Otters Return
In May this year, there was other good news, this time from South America, when it was announced that Giant Otters had returned to Argentina. In Argentina, it was discovered that Giant Otters had returned to the country when a Giant Otter named Teuco had been discovered living in the country.
Gould's Mouse Found Again
During the summer of this year, a remarkable discovery was made when Gould's Mouse was rediscovered. What makes this story remarkable is that it was thought that throughout the last 150 years the Gould's Mouse was extinct. This story offers hope that perhaps some animals that we think have gone extinct might still be out there.
23 USA Species Extinct
In October it was announced that 23 species in the USA had been declared extinct. These 23 species included the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker.
The Climate Summit COP26
And, in November of this year, the climate summit COP26 was held. At the COP26 event, 114 different world leaders pledged to stop deforestation by 2030.
2021
These are many of the biggest and most important animals, wildlife and environmental stories of the year. There are many, many more stories that have been about animals, wildlife and the environment and you can find them by looking on the Action For Earth website either by looking through the blog or search bar.
Now that 2021 is over, what animals, wildlife and environmental stories and events will happen during the next year, 2022? Next year Action For Earth will be reporting on more animals, wildlife and environmental stories and we will also be celebrating the 10th year anniversary of Action For Earth!
Happy 2022 when it arrives! šš
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